Frequently Asked Questions

---

To hire Mr. HydroVac you can call, email, or schedule online. We confirm scope, location, access, and timing before finalizing the schedule. 

Location, dig purpose, depth, soil type if known, site access, and any special concerns (utilities, traffic, water). 

Yes — an 811 utility locates must be marked on site before excavation can be conducted. We will not be able to perform any excavation services if the utilities have not been properly marked.

Some municipalities require permits for hydrovac excavation, utility work, traffic control, or hydrant use. It is the customer’s responsibility to determine, obtain, and maintain any required permits before work begins.

Mr. HydroVac does not pull permits, verify permit requirements, or provide permitting services. If a required permit is missing, delayed, or denied, the customer is responsible for all associated costs, delays, or rescheduling.Add an answer to this item.

 Yes — a designated site contact or supervisor must be present at all times to provide direction, confirm dig locations, and coordinate activities.

Our crew cannot assume responsibility for managing other trades or making decisions about site layout, safety, or utility placement. We will follow the guidance of the on-site representative to ensure the work is completed safely and correctly.

 Yes — We offer Net 30 payment terms for customers who keep a valid credit card on file. No credit application is required.

Please note:

• You must be approved before scheduling.
• Payment is due 30 days from date of invoice unless otherwise agreed. 
• Late fees apply if payment is not received within the 30-day term.

If payment isn’t received by Day 30, the card on file will be automatically charged for the outstanding balance. This ensures smooth scheduling and uninterrupted service while still giving clients the flexibility of Net 30 terms. 

Yes — we provide ETA updates and notify you of delays and unexpected site issues or conditions.

Yes — we are happy to work alongside other contractors on-site.

• Ensure 811 locates are complete 
• Mark dig area
• Provide water source if possible
• Clear access for the hydrovac trailer
• Communicate any site hazards

Our hydrovac carries 200 gallons of water as standard. For larger jobs, customers may purchase a 300-gallon add-on water tank when scheduling.

Once on-site, our crew cannot leave to refill water, if additional water is still needed, we can arrange a water delivery service for an extra fee based on travel distance. This option is more costly, so we strongly recommend that customers plan their water needs in advance. Whenever possible, providing on-site water access is the most efficient and cost-effective way to keep the excavation running without delays. 

Yes — we can work in tight areas or inside structures as long as the hydrovac truck can park close enough to the work area.

Our system uses a 30-foot hose on a 1,000 CFM unit, which means:

• We can operate inside buildings, garages, or fenced areas if access from the truck is within that 30-foot range. 
• Tight-space excavation is possible, but efficiency drops significantly beyond this distance. 
• Because of equipment limits and airflow requirements, we cannot run long hose extensions or dig far inside buildings beyond our safe operating distance.
   

If the dig area is more than 30 feet from where the truck can safely park, excavation may be limited or require site adjustments (temporary access, cutting fence panels, opening doors, etc.). For best results, we review access details with you during scheduling to confirm whether the location is workable.

The maximum digging depth depends on access, trench width, and safety conditions at the excavation site.

• In narrow or restricted trenches, where the walls cannot be cut back or stabilized, we can safely excavate up to approximately 4 feet deep. 
• If the excavation is properly opened, sloped, or benched to meet OSHA safety requirements (no vertical walls, no collapse risk), we can dig much deeper, limited mainly by hose reach and soil stability. 
• For larger open excavations where the sides are cut back appropriately, depth is determined by the safe working area you provide rather than by a fixed number.
   

Hydrovac excavation must always comply with trench safety standards. If the hole is not opened wide enough or properly supported, excavation depth will be limited for safety.

If you need deeper work, we can discuss the excavation plan in advance to ensure it is prepared correctly and can be accessed safely.

If we encounter unexpected conditions—such as unmarked utilities, concrete, rock, voids, debris, groundwater, or anything that was not disclosed or visible during scheduling—we will stop work immediately and notify the customer.

Any changes to the scope, method, or time required due to these conditions will need to be approved by the customer before we continue. Additional charges may apply if the situation requires extra time, equipment, safety measures, or a revised excavation plan.

We do not assume liability for inaccurate or incomplete information about underground conditions provided by third parties, utility locators, or the customer. 

All excavated material (spoils) is vacuumed into our debris tank during hydrovac operations.

Whenever possible, spoils will be returned to a designated on-site spoils pile so the material can be reused to backfill the excavation once your work is complete. This is the standard and preferred handling method.

If the material cannot be reused on-site—such as contaminated soil, asphalt/concrete slurry, regulated waste, or material that must be transported off property—this becomes a separate scope of work.

In those cases:

• A written proposal is required before any disposal or transport takes place.
• Additional services and materials (such as 55-gallon drums, lined bins, labeling, hauling, and disposal fees) may apply.
• No off-site removal will occur without prior written authorization.
   

This policy ensures compliance with environmental regulations and allows customers to control any additional costs.

Minimal. Material is vacuumed directly into the debris tank. Some water and soil residue may require cleanup.